Monthly Archives: July 2023

News: BRUCE SOORD, MESHUGGAH, OF MICE AND MEN (August 2023)

Massive Wagons

The Anchoress will release a covers album ‘Versions’ on October 6 through Drowned In Sound. Atlantea, the new progressive rock project by Ten’s Darrel Treece-Birch, has signed a record deal with Lion Music. Ronnie Atkins releases his third solo album, … Continue reading

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Album review : RIAN – Wings

RIAN - Wings

Frontiers [Release date 04.08.23] Third album from Swedish melodic rock band, Rian, led by exceptionally talented vocalist/ guitarist Richard Andermyer. Their second on Frontiers. The band’s label debut, titled Twenty Three, was reviewed in GRTR! back in 2021. Here’s what … Continue reading

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Album review: MITCH MALLOY – The Last Song

MITCH MALLOY- The Last Song

Godsend Records [Release date 07.07.23] After his stint fronting Great White, Mitch Malloy resumes his solo career with his first album since ‘Making Noise’ some seven years ago. Indeed, like its predecessor, this is a solo effort in every sense … Continue reading

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Album review : KENT HILLI – Nothing Left To Lose

KENT HILLI - Nothing Left To Lose

Frontiers [Release date : 04.08.23] Only one solo album under his belt, yet Kent Hilli seems to have been around forever. Three studio albums with Perfect Plan, two Restless Spirits’ albums and a stint fronting legendary melodic rock band, Giant. … Continue reading

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EP review: /SIN’DOGS/ – Renascence EP

/SIN'DOGS/ - Renascence EP

www.facebook.com/Sindogs [Release date 01.08.23] When I was compiling my “Best of” two decades in terms of ‘Live Acts’ for GRTR!@20 it would have been very tempting to include Zal Cleminson and /sin’dogs/ appearance at the 2019 ‘Giants Of Rock’. My … Continue reading

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Album review: ROBBIE CUMMING – Choons Vol.1 & 2

ROBBIE CUMMING - Choons Vol.1 & 2

Absolute [Release date 12.05.23] I’ve often wondered about a canal boat holiday, traversing the criss-cross network hopefully in the sunshine, away from congested roads, and with regular stops for refreshment. And, maybe, if I took the plunge as it were … Continue reading

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Album review: MARCUS MALONE & THE MOTOR CITY HUSTLERS – Interstate 75

Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers - Interstate 75

Pete Feenstra chatted to Marcus Malone and Dan Smith for his show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  First broadcast, 6 August 2023. Ramrock Red [Release date: 07.04.23] Marcus Malone & The Motor City Hustlers is a brand new soul, … Continue reading

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Gig review: HEATHEN APOSTLES – Six Six Bar, Cambridge, Monday 24 July 2023

Heathen Apostles

It was the night Bloodgrass came to the dark environs of the Six Six Bar in sleepy university city, an unusually large flock of jet-black crows seen above the ever-reaching spires of Cambridge. The portents were heavy and the anticipation … Continue reading

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Album review: GREIG TAYLOR BAND – The Light

Greig Taylor Band - The Light

Bandcamp [Release date 08.08.23] The Greig Taylor Band is built round Scottish soul singer Greig Taylor, a vocalist whose life experiences help bring gravitas to his self penned songs and gritty soulful phrasing. The combination of his vocal flexibility, meaningful … Continue reading

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Gig review: CATS IN SPACE – Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell, 20 July 2023

CATS IN SPACE- Wilde Theatre, South Hill Park, Bracknell, 20 July 2023

Despite latest album ‘Kickstart the Sun’ being for me their finest achievement, Cats in Space’s autumn tour in 2022 was still bedevilled by audiences a fraction of what they deserved. It therefore represented a bold gamble when, post-tour, the band … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE DAMN TRUTH – O2 Islington Academy 2, London, 21 July 2023

THE DAMN TRUTH – O2 Islington Academy 2, London, 21 July 2023

Having narrowly avoided stumbling into The Exploited’s show at the slightly larger Academy1 right next door, I was pleasantly surprised to see a pretty full venue for this early kick-off. The Cold Stares, a trio based in Indiana, are led … Continue reading

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Album review: DUST RADIO – Problem & Remedy

Dust Radio - Problem & Remedy

Pete Feenstra chatted to Paddy Wells (Dust Radio) for Get Ready to ROCK! Radio.  First broadcast 3 September 2023. Bandcamp [Release date 23.06.23] Dust Radio is essentially the duo of Paddy Wells (vocal, blues harp and lyrics) and Tom Jackson … Continue reading

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Album review: THE FIERCE & THE DEAD – News From The Invisible World

THE FIERCE AND THE DEAD - News From The Invisible World

Spencer Park Music [Release date 28.07.23] The Fierce and The Dead have been working on this album over the past five years. It also marks a major change to the band’s sound, lead  vocals from bassist Kevin Feazey (Blur’s Damon … Continue reading

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Album review : IRON SAVIOR – Riding On Fire – The Noise Years 1997-2004, 6 CD Boxset

Iron-Savior-cover-noise 250

Cherry Red [Release date 28.07.23] “A constant and independent force within the Power Metal universe”. No prizes for attributing this quote to Iron Savior mainman, Piet Sielck. It could easily have come from his Iron Savior buddy, Kai (Gamma Ray) … Continue reading

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Feature: The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness – CATS IN SPACE (August 2023)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

Pop rock revivalists whose rise and rise has been almost purr-fect… damn that pandemic… Cats in Space are a unique proposition among the new generation of classic rock bands that have emerged in recent years (writes Andy Nathan). Acts that … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE WHO, O2 Arena, London, 12 July 2023

whohits_2023

On the verge of their sixth decade as a band and The Who really have nothing to prove but still don’t care about what they’re being told by others. This is The Who and they’ll do exactly as they want. … Continue reading

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Gig review: THE WHO – Badminton Estate, Gloucestershire, 16 July 2023

The Who - Badminton Estate, Gloucestershire, 16 July 2023

So how refined that The Who, along with the Heart of England Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Keith Levenson, are playing at the renowned Badminton Estate, to promote a new live album, in an open-air concert arena with a capacity of … Continue reading

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News: CATS IN SPACE are the latest entrants in The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness (August 2023)

The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness

Rock website Get Ready to ROCK!’s 20th anniversary celebration continues with the latest entrants in “The GRTR! Grotto of Greatness”. Pop rockers Cats In Space will be honoured in August ahead of UK tour dates in September. Jason Ritchie, News … Continue reading

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Album review: RAY ALDER – II

RAY ALDER – II

Inside Out [Release date: 09.06.23] When asked to compile a list of the most influential vocalists of the Progressive Metal genre, Ray Alder’s is, undoubtedly and reservedly so, one of the very first names that comes to mind. Having been … Continue reading

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Album review: TONY MITCHELL – Radio Heartbeat

TONY MITCHELL - Radio Heartbeat

Pride & Glory Music [Release date 21.07.23] The fourth solo album from Tony Mitchell, of Kiss Of The Gypsy & Dirty White Boyz fame. Joining him on here are Midnite City guitarist Miles Meakin, bassist Nigel Bailey (Dirty White Boyz, … Continue reading

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Album review: DESOLATION SOUND – Salish Rock

DESOLATION SOUND - Salish Rock

Robo Jack Records  -  [Release date: 28.07.2022] What’s in a name? For all fans of doom metal it’s time to look elsewhere as Desolation Sound are not the Lords of Valhalla that the name suggests. In fact, anything but – … Continue reading

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Gig review: JON ANDERSON/MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – Erkel Szinhaz, Budapest, Hungary, 9 July 2023

Gig review: JON ANDERSON/MANFRED MANN’S EARTH BAND – Erkel Szinhaz, Budapest, Hungary, 9 July 2023

A city break you won’t find on Expedia: the Queen of the Danube by day; prog rock royalty by night! Budapest is an amazing city and no surprise that the venue for this co-headline gig was a classy, plush, comfy-seated … Continue reading

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Album review : EDGE OF PARADISE – Hologram

EDGE OF PARADISE - Hologram

Frontiers [Release date: 14.07.23] Fresh off a ten date US tour with Lacuna Coil, Edge Of Paradise release Hologram, their fifth album, their third on Frontiers. The band is a duo comprising of Armenian/ Russian/ American singer, Margarita Monet, and … Continue reading

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Album review: SEAN TAYLOR – Short Stories

SEAN TAYLOR - Short Stories

Website [Release date 14.07.23] Sean Taylor returns with another album full of melody and thoughtful lyrics. Joining Sean are Ben Walker (guitars, electric piano), Mike Seal (double bass), Paulina Szczepaniak (percussion), Justin Carroll (Hammond organ), Joe Harvey Whyte (pedal steel) … Continue reading

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Album review: THE MAGPIE ARC – Glamour In The Grey

THE MAGPIE ARC - Glamour In The Grey

Collective Perspective [Release date 07.07.23] Now here’s a listen.  I didn’t quite know what to expect from this band.  From the name, it could be an alt-rock band couldn’t it?  From the opening track ‘All I Planted’ it is immediately … Continue reading

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